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Hiking Guide

Divjakë-Karavasta National Park

Published by EDEN center (Environmental center for Development Education and Networking) www.eden-al.org September, 2011

Hiking Guide

Divjakë-Karavasta National Park

This publication is financially supported by: The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of the Embassy of United States of America in Tirana

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Author of the text:

Endrit Shima, Program Coordinator, EDEN center

Proof reading:

Allan Zaretsky

Pictures:

The EDEN group of Nature Guides

GPS mapping:

Endrit Shima, Program Coordinator, EDEN center

Note: The findings, conclusions and interpretation expressed in this document are those of the contracted alone and should in no way be taken to reflect the policies or opinions of the donor.

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FOREWORD

Through this hiking guide EDEN center has the pleasure to bring into your view and your interest the attractions of one of the Albanian most famous national parks, the Divjaka-Karavasta National park.

Since our beginnings, in March 2004, we have been very active in promoting ecotourism and offering possibilities and opportunities to people to explore and feel the nature with all the senses. In this frame, a lot of work is being done from our Nature Guide group. They explore new itineraries around Alba-nia and get experienced in field trips and GPS mapping in order to offer such services for all hiking lovers.

This acquired experience is very valuable in aiming at publications of hiking guides, and this enthusiasm became true in the frame of the project “Bringing Karavasta Lagoon back to life” financially supported by the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of the Embassy of United States of America in Tirana and successfully implemented by EDEN center. In this project we aimed at enforcing the development of a sustainable development in protected areas by promoting ecotourism as well as civilized and demo-cratic behavior of local community and daily visitors. This hiking guide is one of the tools we are using in promoting ecotourism in the area and one of the most important outputs.

The guide provides information for seven suggested hiking and bird watch-ing routs in the national park accompanied with pictures and GPS tracks and maps. Through the pages apart from history and culture of the area you can find interesting useful information on how to get there, accommodation and other services in and around the national park. EDEN Nature Guides group helped in defining and GPS mapping the hiking routs. With their help we went beyond the expectations of mapping trails – from five trails planed in the beginning to seven trails.

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We have been cooperating and had the support of different institutions and individuals during this process who we take the opportunity to thank: Ministry of Environment Forest and Water Administration, Mr. Nihat Dragoti, Specialist; Divjaka Municipality, the entire administration; “Miti Zoi Zaka” high school in Divjaka; the students of Divjaka Mrs. Anxhela Shurdhaqi, Mrs. Kristi Zeqo, Mr. Vlash Bërboti, Mr. Andi Biti and Mr. Endri Gjoni for helping us with selecting interesting hiking routs; EDEN center, EDEN Nature Guides: Arlind Prifti, Daniela Memushaj, Kristina Huda, Laz-jon Petri, Marsida Taraj dhe Megi Shima; Mrs. Jonida Mamaj, Coordinator; Mr. Endrit Shima, program coordinator in EDEN center and author of the text for the patience and energy dedicated to the success of the project and this hik-ing guide and all the locals for their hospitality.

A special thank goes to Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of United States of America Embassy in Tirana. This book would not have been possible without their support.

In particular, we would like to thank Mrs. Ermelinda Mahmutaj, Executive Director of EDEN center and Mrs. Merita Mansaku, Founder of EDEN center, whose contribution and enthusiasm to the success of the project went far beyond from their responsibilities.

EDEN teamSeptember 2011

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CONTENT

I.BACKGROUNDGeographical position Natural importance of the park Climate History and tourism

II.SUGGESTED HIKING TRAILSGetting there Accommodation and other services Points of interest Map of hiking routes in park: 1. Southern forest– Vahu Canal – Dunes and Divjaka beach – Park center. 2. Park center – Godulla e Pishës lagoon – Spiaxho lagoon – Park center 3. Park center – Divjaka beach – Godulla lagoon – Karavasta lagoon – Park center. 4. Southern forest – Ishulli i Pelikanit (pelicans island). 5. Northen forest – Pisha e Egër në Oazin e Karavastasë (Old Pine) – Godulla e Pishës lagoon – Park center. 6. Divjaka shore – Vahu canal – Second canal. 7. Northen forest – Kular – Mouth of Shkumbini River – Ishulli i Kularit (Kulari Island) – Godulla e Pishës lagoon.

III. PRACTICAL INFORMATIONEquipments GPS tracks and maps

IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE MAP OF SUGGESTED HIKES

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I. BACKGROUND

Geographic position

The Divjaka-Karavasta National Park is the largest non-coastal complex inAlbania, made of four lagoons with a total of approximately 5,000 hectares, of sand dunes and a river delta. It is situated in the central part of Western Region, between Shkumbini River in the north and Seman River in the south, 40 km west of Lushnja, by the Adriatic coast.

Natural importance

Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is listed as Ramsar site since 1994. There is a Mediterranian Pine Forest near the Karavasta lagoon, and it contains one of the most interesting faunas of the country. Divjakë-Karavasta area pro-vides the special conditions for accommodation of a number of plant communi-ties and animal species, among which many of them are at risk of extinction in the world.

Divjakë-Karavasta geographic position

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We can mention here: Pelican (Pelicanus crispus Bruch). The lagoons provide living conditions and breeding sites above the 5% of the world population of this bird. The islands in the lagoon are one of the most important features of the area for the conservation of birds. Although in the past, the Dalmatian pelicans have nested in other parts of the lagoon, they now only nest on these islands, owning to disturbance elsewhere. In addition, many of the other important breeding birds of the lagoon nest on the island because they are safe from predators and human disturbance. These include Collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola) and Little tern (Sterna albifrons)

Climate

Divjakë-Karavasta is part of the Mediterranean climate zone’s plains’ central sub-districts. The features of this climate are mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. During winter there are an average of 4.1 hours of sunshine per day, while in summer it increases to 10 hours of sun.Precipitation ranges from 550-1200 mm, distributed over 85-100 days per year. Two-thirds of the annual rainfall comes in November-March. Precipitation is mainly in the form of rain, while snow and hail are rare occurrences for this area. The average annual temperature is 18.8 ° C.

History and tourism

History Divjaka as inhabited center is very ancient. This is proved by the archaeological objects as well as the many graves. These materials were found during the opening of new lands in Divjakë at the communism time. Here was found various ceramic containers, bronze swords, spears, coins and many other objects, which date III-II century BC.To speak before the 1945 tourism development or even for its first half is very difficult. The difficult economic conditions of the country and the various wars, in which our country was involved, prevented this activity. After 1945 as a result of wrong policy and slow economic development, there

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was a setback in this regard. Investments in this very important branch of economy were scarce. These investments were made by the state. They consist with the construction of the camp consisted of workers with a capacity of 80 rooms and about 200 beds and a number of cabins with a capacity around 400 beds.

Democratic changes happened after 1990, opening the country to the outside world; the transition from planned economy to free market opened the perspective of tourism as one of the branches of the economy.

At the moment the national park is suffering from the lack of management and the promoting of sustainable tourism activities. The only way of tourism which is happening in the park is beach tourism during the summer time. Illegal hunting is also a big problem for the area. The location of the park in the center of the Western region of Albania gives good opportunities to visit some of the most development touristic sites in Albania: Durrësi (79 km) the country’s main port, rich with ancient ruined Roman amphitheater, museum, etc. Berati (78 km), UNESCO city. The town is renowned for its historic architecture and scenic beauty and is known as the “Town of a Thousand Windows”, due to the many large windows of the old decorated houses overlooking the town.Apollonia (75 km) an ancient city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Vjosa River. Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani, in modern-day Albania. Interesting to visit is also the Byzantine Church, XVIII century, in Karavasta e Re village (24 km) and Ardenica Monastery, XIII-XIV century, near Kolonjë village (28 km). It is declared a cultural monument of special importance.

II. SUGGESTED HIKING TRAILS

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Getting there

The starting point is considered the capital, Tirana. From here, Divjaka can be reached by public transport, private car or bike. The route goes via Durrës, Rrogozhinë, Divjakë and finally Divjakë-Karavasta National Park. The route is in good condition and is approximately 100 km. To get to the park by public transport one may either take a minibus (furgon) or a bus. The minibus station is at “21 dhjetori” crossing (1.3 km from Sk-endërbeg Square). Walk south-west from Skendërbeg Square towards Kavaja Road (with the Albania Bank on your left and Opera buildng behind). Furgons running to Vlora or Fier will also bring you to Çermë village where one can find regular minbuses and buses continuing on to Divjaka. To reach the park from Divjaka one can hire a taxi which costs around 400 lekë, or walk on foot (around 6 km west fom Divjaka center). The bus station is at Nishëraku (500 meters south-west from “21 dhjetori”). The bus ticket from Tirana to Çerma village costs 200 lek and the minibus ticket costs 300 lek. Minibus and bus tickets from Çermë to Divjaka cost 50 lek. The entrance fee to the park is 100 lek for cars, 200 lek for minibuses and 300 lek for buses. For passengers and hikers coming on foot there is no entrance fee at the moment.

Accommodation and other services

There are several hotels in the park. The hotels and restaurants are often run by families from Divjaka which gives the feeling of staying in a guest house rather than a normal hotel. You can find a list of these services in the table

II. SUGGESTEDHIKING TRAILS

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Points of interest in and around Divjakë-Karavasta National Park

1. Divjaka is the nearest city of the park (approx. 6 km). Divjaka has a population of about 13,600 inhabitants, where 7300 people belong to the municipality and the rest are rural. Locals mainly work in production of vegetables, fruits, fishing and less in livestock.

2. Entrance of the park is in the main road which connects Divjaka and National Park. The road divide the forest in two parts (N and S part). The entrance of the park is situated 1.2 km N of the park center and the beach. The entrance fee is 100 lek for cars, 200 lek for vans and 300 for busses.

3. Center of the park is located near Divjaka beach, approx. 1.2 km SW from the park entrance. The majority of services are located in the park center. Divjaka

Points of interest in and around the park

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beach is a stretch of roughly 15 kilometers of white sand lined by pine forest, and it is a popular seaside destination for thousands of tourists and day-trip-pers from south-central Albania. The sandy beach is huge (250 m wide from forest edge to water in some areas) and even in peak season, it is possible to walk further up or down and find some privacy.

4. Pelican Island (Nature Monument) is located in NW of Karavasta Lagoon. This is an important place for Dalmatian Pelicans nesting. The hiking guides suggested below offers also a watching place of the island.

5. The Big and / or Old Pine (in Albanian: Pisha e Egër në Oazin e Karavas-tasë) is listed as Nature Monument in Albania. It represents a 410 years old pine located in SW of the northern part of the forest. 6. The Karavasta lagoon is the biggest and most important lagoon on the coastal area of the Adriatic Sea. The Karavasta lagoon has a surface of 43.3 km2, with a maximal length of 10.6 km, a maximal width of 4.3 km, and a maximal depth of 1.5 m. Karavasta Lagoon) is well known for its colony of globally threatened Dalmatian pelicans. Over 200 other bird species have been observed in the area, including some

EDEN Nature Guide’s group during routes

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Divjaka Municipality center

other globally threatened species, such as pygmy cormorant, white-headed duck, spotted eagle and pallid harrier. The presence of these birds is one of the main reasons that Karavasta lagoon has been designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance.

7. Godulla Lagoon represents a small lagoon situated very close to Karavasta lagoon. This lagoon has a surface of 8.5 km2 with a length of 5 km, a width of 3.8 km and a maximum depth of 3.8 m.

8. Godulla e Pishës (Nature Monument) is situated in NW of Divjaka forest. It represents a lagoon with a maximal length of 1.8 km and a maximal width of 400 m, Surrounded by pine forest and dunes with plenty of pine scrub. The Dalmatian pelicans nest here.

9. Spiaxho is a small lagoon in N part of Divjakë-Karavasta system.

10. Osmani lagoon is a small lagoon N of Spiaxho lagoon.

11. Kulari Island (Nature Monument) is located near Shkumbini Delta, 0.5 m above sea level formed by the accumulation of river. The island is covered with bushes, wild poplar hardwood, cedar,winter pasture, and grass types. You can find aquatic birds, among them most Dalmatic pelican.

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1. Southern forest – Vahu Canal – Dunes and Divjaka

beach – Park center

Distance 7,7 kmHiking Time 3 hours Difficulty Easy

The half part of this hike is through dense forest but with an easily distinguish-able path. The second part involves Vahu Canal, which connect the Adriatik Sea with Karavasta Lagoon and a hike through sand dunes and Divjaka beach.The hike starts by one of the entrance door of the southern forest (WP 1), approx. 1.3 km NE from the entrance of the park. The road follows SW through dense forest and easy to follow the track for approx. 1.5 km when the

Hike 1

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The path in Southern forest Vahu Canal

path divides, one follows S (left side) and the other one follows SW (WP 2). The path runs SW through dense forest until we reach the bridge of Vahu Canal (WP 3). After that we turn NW with the forest in our right and the sea in our left. The route follows N through the beach sand. We pass a big bunker near Divjaka Hotel (WP 4) and continue either near of the sea or forest until we reach the main car road which is also the center of the park (WP 5). To get back to the WP 1, you should follow the automobile road for approx. 2, 5 k.

Waypoints

1. 34 T 373013 / UTM 4538766, entrance of the forest2. 34 T 372709 / UTM 4537410, crossing 3. 34 T 371726 / UTM 4534558, Vahu canal4. 34 T 371840 / UTM 4535809, Bunker and Divjaka Park Hotel5. 34 T 372083 / UTM 4536783, the main road, Pelikani Hotel

Karavasta lagoon

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2. Park center - Godulla e Pishës lagoon - Spiaxho lagoon - Park center

Distance 4,4 kmHiking Time 2 hoursDifficulty Easy

The hike starts at the entrance of the park (WP 1) and follows directly SW through a rare pine forest and a visible hiking path. After approx. 250 m, we turn right (WP 2). The route follows NW for approx. 220 m and after that, near a hotel, we turn left (WP 3). We follow left and turn right (NW) when we reach the sand beach hiking path (WP 4), which is very visible and runs through rare pine forest on the left and beach bushes on the right. If you follow for approx. 100 m W on WP 4, you can see the south part of Spiaxho lagoon.

Hike 2

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Fishing cabin at Godulla e Pishës Lagoon

From WP 4, our path follows NW on a visible sand beach path which runs in the middle of two lagoons (Spiaxho and Godulla e Pishës lagoons) but you cannot often see them because of the forest on left side and the bushes on the right. After approx. 1.4 km we will have a very clear view of Spiaxho lagoon, Godulla e Pishës lagoon and Tërbfui canal, which runs in the middle of Spiaxho lagoon (WP 5). The path follows right with the canal on our left for approx. 200 meters and then it turns back through the forest (WP 6). The way back goes parallel with the previous path and the route is very vis-ible. On WP 7 we have a bird watching possibility. From here we have in front of us, at Godulla e Pishës lagoon, an island populated from different birds. The hiking path follows SE, through rare pine forest, for approx. 800 meters until we reach the route which connects WP 3 with WP 4 (WP 8). The hike finishes at entrance of the park (WP 1).

Waypoints

1. 34 T 372339 / UTM 4537954, entrance of the park2. 34 T 372121 / UTM 4537858, crossing3. 34 T 372008 / UTM 4538055, hotel4. 34 T 371864 / UTM 4538022, sand beach hiking path5. 34 T 371416 / UTM 4539254, Tërbufi canal6. 34 T 371502 / UTM 4539448, crossing7. 34 T 371729 / UTM 4538741, view point8. 34 T 371901 / UTM 4538038, crossing

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3. Park center – Divjaka beach – Godulla lagoon –

Karavasta lagoon – Park center

This is a relatively long hike along the fishermen paths. It offers sensational views of two of the largest lagoons in the area (Karavasta lagoon and God-ulla lagoon), Divjaka beach and restaurants of the park. As long as the path remains unmarked, a local guide is suggested.

Hike 3

Distance 16,5 kmHiking Time 5-6 hoursDifficulty Easy

The hike starts at the centre of the park, near of the Argena Hotel (WP 1), from where we follow SW along the unpaved road with hotels and restaurants from both sides. After approx. 1 km, near the Divjaka Park Hotel, the unpaved ends (WP 2) and we keep following SW along the sand beach path, with the sea in our right and the pine forest very close in our left. After a while we reach the

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Vahu canal, which is the only direct connection between the sea and Karavasta lagoon (WP 3). Our route turns left to the canal and sea connection, where is also a small bar to buy something (WP 4). After that we turn back to WP 3, than we follow SW for few hundred meters and cross the canal through a bridge (WP 5). After crossing the bridge, the hike follows W for approx. 150 meters and then SW with the Godulla lagoon in the left and pine forest in the right. After approx. 1.5 km we turn left and our hike follows in a pine forest (WP 6). Our hike follows SW in the pine forests for approx. 2 km until we reach a view to Karavasta lagoon (WP 7). The route turns right and follows with the Karavasta lagoon in our left and Godulla lagoon in our right. Different birds are possible to see at this point. Among them, we saw a Dalmatian pelican flying. After approx. 200 meters is the first canal which connect Karavasta lagoon with Godulla lagoon. Near of the canal there is a fish manufactory (WP 8). Our route follows SW on a path located in the middle of the lagoons and after approx. 1 km we reach the second canal that connects Karavasta with Godulla lagoon (WP 9). After that we get back to WP 7 and then we follow NE near the Karavasta lagoon along an unpaved road for approx. 3,3 km where we reach the Vahu canal (WP 10). The route follows left and after a while we reach the bridge of Vahu canal (WP 5). After that we follow W and cross WP 3 and turn N at WP 11. To get back to WP 1 you can either follow the same track near of the forest or near of the cost.

Fisherman in Godulla

lagoonPainter at Karavasta lagoon

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Waypoints

1. 34 T 372126 / UTM 4536800, Argena Hotel2. 34 T 371856 / UTM 4535849, end of unpaved road, Divjaka Hotel3. 34 T 371532 / UTM 4534711, Vahu canal4. 34 T 371109 / UTM 4535108, connection of sea with the lagoon 5. 34 T 371731 / UTM 4534557, bridge6. 34 T 370867 / UTM 4533409, pine forest7. 34 T 370401 / UTM 4531486, view to Karavasta lagoon8. 34 T 370354 / UTM 4531245, first connection of Godulla-Karavasta9. 34 T 369805 / UTM 4530475, second connection10. 34 T 371849 / UTM 4534423, Vahu canal11. 34 T 371341 / UTM 4534887, crossing

Terrapin in Divjaka beach

A bar restaurant in Divjaka beach, near of the Vahu canal

Fishing factory at the channel connecting Karavasta lagoon with Godulla lagoon

Horses at Divjaka beach

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Hike 4

4. Southern forest – Ishulli i Pelikanit

(Pelican’s island)

This is a short relaxing hike in the forest which gives you the opportunity to see the rare Dalmatian pelican. There was built a viewpoint sometimes ago that is not existing at the moment. Given that there is not a viewpoint with binoculars and the path is unmarked, you should have your own binoculars and a GPS device. In a absence of a GPS device, a local guide is essential.

Distance 5,6 kmHiking Time 2 hoursDifficulty Easy The hike starts at one of the entrances of the southern forest of the park, 1, 5 km NE of the park entrance (WP 1). The entrance of the forest is a blue iron door. The hike follows SW along a visible path and after approx. 200 meters there is a deviation in the right side but we follow strait (WP 2). We follow strait (SW) for approx. 2,6 km until we reach a destroyed wooden view point

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(WP 3). From here is a very clear view to Pelicans Island. The island is located ap-prox. 1, 3 km E of the WP 3. The hike finish at WP 1 through taking the same route we did.

Waypoints

1. 34 T 373205 / UTM 4538717, trail head, blue iron door2. 34 T 373170 / UTM 4538498, crossing3. 34 T 372621 / UTM 4536106, view point

The pathDalmatian Pelicans

Young locals during the training “How to become a Hiking Guide“

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Distance 8,2 kmHiking Time 3 hoursDifficulty Easy

This is a beautiful hike going through the dense pine forest of the park. By following this trail, you will have the possibility to visit two natural monu-ments of the park – the Old Pine and Godulla e Pishes Lagoon. The path is very visible but it has some crossing that might mislead you. A hiking guide or a GPS device is suggested since the track is not marked.The trail head is WP 1, a blue gate next to the main road, which enable the entrance of the forest, approx. 1, 5 km before the park entrance. The trail follows N for approx. 2 km on a very visible path in the dense pine forest till we reach a crossing point (WP 2) and we turn of W (left). We follow W for

Hike 5

5. Northen forest – Pisha e Egër në Oazin e Karavastasë

(the old pine) – Godulla e Pishës lagoon – Park center

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about 150 m and then turn again N at the crossing (WP 3). The route follows N and for approx. 600 m we reach the Old Pine, which is located few meters left of the trail (WP 4). After visiting the Old Pine, we turn back again on the trail and follow N until we arrive at WP 5, Emisari i Terbufit canal. There are many fishing cabins along the canal. At WP 5 the track follows W with the pine forest in our left and the canal in our right, for approx. 1 km. At WP 6 the route turns of S. The forest is not any more as dense as the parallel rout we had before. At WP 7 is a very good view point over Godulla e Pishes lagoon. The viewpoint is approx. 200 m left of the main track. We get back at the main track and we follow S for few hundred meters until we see an exit gate of the forest. The hike ends at the main road, around 900 m before the park entrance (WP 8).

Fishing cabin at Tërbufi canal

Tërbufi canal

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Marsi, Fation, Vlashi and Endri at Pisha e Egër në Oazin e Karavastasë (The Old Pine) during the defining routes process

Waypoints

1. 34 T 373215 / UTM 4538733, trail head, blue gate2. 34 T 373278 / UTM 4540556, crossing3. 34 T 373140 / UTM 4540552, crossing 4. 34 T 373104 / UTM 4541112, Old Pine5. 34 T 373088 / UTM 45417686. 34 T 372104 / UTM 4541413, crossing 7. 34 T 372250 / UTM 4538982, view point8. 34 T 372552 / UTM 4538620, main road6. Divjaka shore – Vahu canal – Second canal

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Distance 4. 4 km – one wayHiking Time 3 hoursDifficulty Easy

This is a nice hike along the sea shore going until it ends because the connec-tion of the sea with Godulla lagoon. Near of the connection (Second canal) is a very good view point for bird watching.

The hike starts at Hotel Divjaka Park (WP 1) which is the last hotel going S from the park center along the car road. We continue the hike S along the sea shore and after approx. 1.8 km we reach the Vahu canal (WP 2). Vahu canal is normally dry so you can just cross it and hike further on S along the sea shore to approach the Second canal (WP 3). In case the Vahu canal is working, the ways to reach the second canal are either by crossing the water (max. 1/2 m

Hike 6

6. Divjaka shore - Vahu canal - Second canal

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deep) or by renting a boat. Between the two canals, took place one of the most sensational stories of the communism time. Xhevdet Mustafa, a young Alba-nian fugitive in the United States came back in Albania with two other persons in September of 1982. Their mission was to toppling the regime. He was one of those youths that could not withstand with lifestyle and regime in Albania. This mission was betrayed by someone, and there they were surrounded by security forces of the Albanian state. On the way between two canals, near the lagoon, you can see memorials of two security forces that were killed during the gun fight by Xhevdet Mustafa and his companions.

Waypoints

1. 34 T 371836 / UTM 4535850, Divjaka Park Hotel2. 34 T 371048 / UTM 4535157, Vahu canal3. 34 T 368941 / UTM 4532784, Second canal

The channel connecting the sea with Godulla lagoon

Poultry footprints near of the channel

7. Northen forest – Kular – Mouth of Shkumbini River –

Ishulli i Kularit (Kulari Island) – Godulla e Pishës lagoon

Distance 26 kmHiking Time 9 hoursDifficulty Moderate

This is a long hike with beautiful views and mix of forest roads, close the river and lagoon trails. The path is visible but with a lot of crossing. We suggest either hiring a guide or making sure you have a GPS device with you.

The hike starts at the beginning of the Divjaka forest. Coming from Divjaka to National Park along the normal car road the trail head is the first entrance door (WP1) of the forest. It follows N along a visible trail until it reaches the WP 2 (Tërbufi canal). We turn E (right) and cross the canal at the bridge (WP 3).

Hike 7

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After crossing the bridge the trail follows N enter a small wooden area (WP 4) and after crossing the wooden area the trails follows for approx. 400 meters along the Shkumbini River in our right and agriculture lands in our left. This area is called Kulari and use to be a village many years ago. Now it is banded as a result of regularly flooding from Shkumbin River. At WP 5 (crossing) we turn left and hike on broad trail in the middle of agriculture lands and enter the forest at WP 6. After walking in the forest for approx. 1 km on a broad visible trail, we exit it at WP 7 and follow W until we reach WP 8 (Mouth of Shkumbini River) with a beautiful view of Kulari Islands which is full of different birds.

For getting back we follow the same trail until we reach WP 2 and then we follow W with the canal in our right and the forest in our left. At WP 9 the trails the trail follows S. During this part of the hike you will have the pos-sibility to see the Godulla e Pishes lagoon. The trail ends at the main car road, approx. 900 meters before the park entrance.

Kristina, Ilir and Endri during routes defining at mouth of Shkumbini River

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Fishing methods in Tërbuni canal

Waypoints

1. 34 T 373549 / UTM 4538830, trail head, blue gate2. 34 T 373486 / UTM 4541930, Tërbufi canal3. 34 T 374300 / UTM 4542195, bridge 4. 34 T 373961 / UTM 4543143, entrance of a wooden area5. 34 T 373575 / UTM 4543832, crossing 6. 34 T 372876 / UTM 4543609, forest entrance 7. 34 T 371919 / UTM 4543704, forest exit8. 34 T 368881 / UTM 4544316, mouth of Shkumbini River9. 34 T 372112 / UTM 4541416, crossing 10. 34 T 372551 / UTM 4538618, main road

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Equipment Appropriate hiking equipment is essential (hiking boots, waterproofs, sun protection, insect protection, backpack, food, first aid kit, GPS device, func-tioning mobile phone, etc). During the spring and winter time it is essential to have with you long waterproof boots because there are some water ponds on the trails. Regarding the first aid kits, it is crucial to have the right medical supplies with you because Divjaka doesn’t have a rescue system for the hik-ers in the forest. If traveling in a group, your tour guide should highlight the danger of poisonous snake bites and should carry a suction pump just in case. The kit should also contain treatments and bandages for less serious injuries such as bruises, cuts and so on. The insect protection is very essential from April to October because Divjaka wetland has a lot of mosquitoes during this time of the year. GPS tracks and mapsThe maps of the guide are Soviet military old maps. Divjaka coast has changed some since the map was produced due to erosions factors. However, the trails in the area are not difficult and the maps are good for orientation. At www.bunkertrails.com you can download topographic maps of scales 1:50 000 and 1:100 000. The GPS (UTM) data provided here is two-fold: Waypoint number and UTM coordinate. Within the text the waypoint numbers (e.g., WP1’) refer to the items listed at the end of each description. Apart of the waypoint that you can find within the text, GPS tracks with waypoints can be found at EDEN center website (www.eden-al.org)Wikiloc GPS data sharing website (www.wikiloc.com) and EveryTrail website (www.everytrail.com). At Wikiloc and EveryTrail the trails can be found through searching Endrit Shima account. Given that trails are not marked, we advise using a local guide in this region, Anxhela Shurdhaqi, group leader of divjaka hiking guides, tel. +355 695619269, email: guidanatyrore.divjake@gmail.com.If you do choose to hike alone, would be good to have a GPS device with you to avoid getting out of the trail.

III. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anni (Koci) Kallfa and Taulant Bino, Reproduction Biology of Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus Crispus) in the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, 2010.

Ecotourism Ltd, Technital S.pA. and Tour du Valat, Karavasta lagoon eco guide, 1997.

Pano, Niko and Frashëri Alfred, The coastal geomorphology of the Semani river mouth-Karavasta lagoon in the southern Adriatic Sea.

Qiriazi, Perikli and Sala, Skënder, Monumentet e Natyrës së Shqipërisë. Botim elektronik, 2005.

Ramsar site management plans – Albania, Karavasta Lagoon, 1996.

The maps of Bunkertrails: www.bunkertrails.com

The Geo Consulting map of Albania: www.albinfo.al

Zindel, Christan and Husammann, Barbara, Thethi and Kel-mendi: Hiking Guide of Northern Albania, 2009.

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Published by EDEN center (Environmental center for Development Education and Networking) www.eden-al.org September, 2011

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Published by EDEN center (Environmental center for Development Education and Networking) www.eden-al.org September, 2011